Raleigh Car Accident Attorneys

Filing a Car Accident Claim in Wake County, NC

No one expects to be involved in a car crash, but thousands of people in North Carolina are seriously injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents every year. If you were injured or if someone you love passed away as a result of a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation under the state’s personal injury statute. 

At Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC, our Raleigh car accident attorneys assist clients throughout Wake County who have suffered severe or even life-changing injuries as a result of all types of motor vehicle collisions. Together, we have more than 50 years of experience and have recovered over $40 million for our clients. We understand the state’s auto insurance and accident laws, and we know how to navigate the legal system while aggressively advocating for you and your recovery. 

Learn how our team can help you with your car accident claim; call (919) 891-8361 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. Hablamos español.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident, also known as a traffic collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, object, or obstacle. These accidents can vary widely in severity, ranging from minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Car accidents can happen for various reasons, including human error, mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, and road hazards. 

Here are some common types of car accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: This occurs when one vehicle strikes the vehicle in front of it from behind. Rear-end collisions often happen due to tailgating, distracted driving, sudden braking, or poor visibility.
• Head-On Collisions: In head-on collisions, the front ends of two vehicles collide with each other while traveling in opposite directions. These accidents typically result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high impact forces involved.
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions: In T-bone collisions, the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a "T" shape. These accidents often occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way or runs a red light.
• Sideswipe Collisions: Sideswipe accidents happen when the sides of two vehicles make contact with each other while traveling in the same direction. This can occur when a driver attempts to change lanes without checking blind spots or signaling properly.
• Single-Vehicle Accidents: These accidents involve only one vehicle and can occur due to various factors such as driver error, speeding, distracted driving, tire blowouts, or loss of vehicle control.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Multi-vehicle accidents, also known as chain-reaction crashes or pileups, involve three or more vehicles colliding with each other in quick succession. These accidents often occur on highways and freeways, especially during adverse weather conditions or low visibility.
• Roll-Over Accidents: Roll-over accidents happen when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. This type of accident is more common in vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as SUVs and trucks, and can result from sharp turns, collisions, or hitting obstacles.
• Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents: Car accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way, disobey traffic signals, or drive recklessly. These accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities for the vulnerable road users.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents: Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without providing necessary information or rendering aid. This is a serious offense and can result in legal consequences for the fleeing driver.

Determining Liability After a Car Accident 

North Carolina follows a fault-based system for car accidents. This means that the driver who is found to be at fault for causing the accident is responsible for covering the damages resulting from the accident.

Liability is one of the most important issues in any car accident claim. Determining who was at fault for the crash and, therefore, who is responsible for your resulting injuries and damages can be challenging without the help of a skilled attorney. While the cause of the crash may seem obvious, there could be any number of underlying factors at play. 

At Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC, we work with accident reconstruction experts to investigate auto accidents and determine exactly what happened, as well as what factors led to the crash. 

Some of the most common factors involved in motor vehicle accidents include: 

• Distracted driving, including texting or using a cellphone while driving
• Traffic violations, including speeding, running red lights, and illegal turns
• General negligence and careless or reckless driving behaviors 
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs 
• Dangerous or defective road conditions, such as potholes or missing road signs
• Auto defects, including tire blowouts, faulty brakes, and exploding airbags

Once we have identified the cause(s) of the crash, we can determine who is liable for your accident-related damages. 

Note that, in North Carolina, you cannot file a car accident claim if you are partly at fault. Even if you are found to be just one percent to blame, the state’s contributory negligence rule bars you from recovering any compensation for your damages. 

What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Car Accident Case?

By filing a car accident claim, you can seek damages, or financial compensation, for your accident-related losses. 

The exact types of and amount in damages you can recover depend on several factors, including: 

• The severity of your injuries
• The cost of medical care
• Available insurance coverage
• Whether you suffered a physical or mental impairment
• Your miscellaneous accident-related expenses
• Whether there was gross negligence, wanton misconduct, or intentional injury

In North Carolina, many car accident victims are able to successfully recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, future care costs, lost wages, loss of earning ability, loss of future income, physical and mental pain and suffering, and emotional distress. 

We recommend that you reach out to our Raleigh car accident attorneys as soon as possible to learn more during a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We can meet with you to discuss the unique factors involved in your case and provide more information specific to your case. 

How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help 

Getting back on your feet after a serious auto accident can be very difficult, especially if you have suffered catastrophic injuries. But when you work with the team at Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC, you can focus on your physical recovery while we handle the rest. 

Our experienced trial attorneys have handled thousands of cases on behalf of the severely injured and the families of those wrongfully killed. We understand the difficulties you are facing, and we know how to fight for the full compensation you deserve. We have helped victims of life-changing car accident injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic amputation, as well as those who have sustained multiple fractures, severe soft tissue damage, and other debilitating injuries. When fighting for your recovery, we not only consider your past and current damages but also your future medical, physical, emotional, and financial needs. 

We encourage you to act quickly, as you usually have only three years from the date of the accident to file a car accident lawsuit in North Carolina. The sooner you reach out to our firm, the sooner we can begin gathering evidence, building your case, and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. 

Get started with a complimentary case evaluation today. Call (919) 891-8361 or contact us using our secure request form here on our website.